How to Drive Safely in Fog: Essential Tips for All Drivers
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Fog is created by moisture in the air and can happen year-round, although some areas may experience it more frequently during certain months. Whether you can anticipate the fog or not, it’s helpful to know how to deal with fog while driving.
Use our guide to driving safely in the fog below to learn about how to prepare your vehicle, safety tips for driving in the fog, and what to do in an emergency.
The Dangers of Driving in Foggy Conditions
Fog creates dangerous driving conditions due to poor visibility, distortions in depth perception, and other optical illusions. You may not be able to see hazards in front of your vehicle, judge stopping distances, or gauge how fast you’re going.
You could get into an accident if you unknowingly follow another vehicle too closely or come up on an animal without warning. Lights also reflect differently in foggy weather, which can contribute to temporary blindness, making it even easier to hit another vehicle or object.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Foggy Weather
If you know you’ll be driving on foggy roads, take a few minutes to prepare your vehicle. Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition and that your defroster is functioning with full power. These two features can help you clear moisture from your front and rear windshields. You should also clean and dry your vehicle’s side windows and all mirrors.
Your lights will also be a valuable tool to get you through the fog. Make sure that all of your lights are working, especially your regular headlights and fog lamps. Your regular headlights (also known as low lights) need to be clean and functional so that you can use them without excessive glare. Your fog lights, located lower on your vehicle, should also be in working order.
Safety Tips for Driving in Fog
When driving in fog, drive slowly and increase your following distance. Your reaction time can decrease drastically when driving in fog, so reducing your speed will give you more time to react if a hazard appears suddenly or if a vehicle in front of you stops quickly. If you’re using cruise control, make sure to shut it off to take more control over your vehicle.
Fog reflects light, so it’s important to use your low-beam lights only. It will reduce glare for you and other drivers. If your car has fog lights, turn them on. They will illuminate the road best in foggy weather conditions and make your car more visible to other drivers. Avoid using your high-beam headlights.
When road visibility is reduced, you should also limit distractions. Put your phone away, avoid eating, and make sure you can give your full attention to driving. Check your mirrors regularly, and ensure all windows are clear. If the roads are slippery, avoid hard braking that could cause the car to lose control.
When to Stay Off the Road
It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before driving. If you know it will be foggy, it might be best to postpone the trip. If you’re already driving in fog and can’t see at all, you should find a safe spot to pull over. Use your hazard lights to make other drivers aware of your vehicle.
If you check the forecast or driving report, you might see predictions for visibility. Near-zero visibility is a clear indicator that you should stay off the roads. You should also avoid driving if the fog is combined with other types of weather, such as rain or snow.
Some drivers may be naturally anxious to drive in fog, and that’s okay. If you feel that your nerves might make the drive too stressful, don’t be afraid to push back the trip.
Fog usually clears up once the sun comes out and warms the air. Waiting even an hour could make a huge difference in driving conditions.
What to Do in Case of an Emergency
When you’re driving and encounter heavy fog, you should find a safe area to pull over, such as a parking lot or an area off the side of the road. Do not stop too close to the road, because vehicles behind you may not be able to see you until it’s too late.
If you are in an accident while driving in fog, follow procedures similar to any other accident. Make sure that all parties are safe and away from the road if possible to avoid follow-up accidents. Document the accident by taking photos and writing down details you want to remember. And exchange car insurance information with other drivers.
Contact your insurance agent or insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Determining fault for crashes in foggy weather can be tricky. If you must drive, make sure that you take every precaution available to ensure you’re driving safely.
Compare Insurance Quotes for the Best Coverage in Foggy Conditions!
In addition to your physical safety, it’s also important to protect your vehicle and other financial assets. Accidents while driving in the fog can cause damages and injuries that you may end up paying for out of pocket if you don’t have the right car insurance coverage.
While fog can happen any time of the year, it’s most common in the fall and winter. Your basic car insurance policy should meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. However, making changes for seasonal car insurance may be helpful if you live in an area that gets excessive amounts of fog during certain times of the year.
Insurance rates can vary by ZIP code and driver profile. Comparing car insurance quotes is one of the best ways to get the best coverage for the best price. Use EverQuote’s free online quote comparison tool to see custom options today.